Cherie Blair Files Phone Hacking Lawsuit Against News Corp.

Graham Atkins, Blair’s lawyer, confirmed that Cherie had filed a claim but did not elaborate. Atkins released a statement today, saying:

“I can confirm that we have issued a claim on behalf of Cherie Blair in relation to the unlawful interception of her voicemails. I will not be commenting any further at this time.”

Bloomberg reports that Cherie Blair’s lawsuit comes just a few days before News Corp.’s first civil trial about the phone hacking scandal. News Corp. has already settled claims with Alastair Campbell, Blair’s former press chief, and John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister.

The phone hacking scandal started when it was revealed that the News of the World hacked into the phone of a murdered girl. Since then it has been revealed that the defunct paper hacked into the phones of politicians, celebrities, and civilians in order to get their stories. News Corp. has already settled lawsuits from Jude Law and they are currently trying to reach a settlement with Charlotte Church.

News Corp. could face fresh lawsuits from people like James Blunt, footballer Peter Crouch and singer James Blunt. According to Bloomberg, News Corp. could face as many as 800 more lawsuits.